Fingerhut Corporation - Axsys National Bank - didn't authorize automatic payment - payment troubles

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on July 16, 2002:

From:

RE: Fingerhut Corporation - Axsys National Bank - didn't authorize automatic payment - payment troubles

I purchase a few items from Fingerhut Corporation last November.

The payment was deferred for 4 months although I made payments to get the amount lower before the interest period kicked in. Well when the interest period kicked in the company on their own accountability decided to automatically charge my credit card each month.

I never authorized this automatic payment and the same month they charged me - I had already sent in the monthly payment. I called their office and complained about this "error" - the customer rep stated that they would never do this without my authorization.

The rep stated she will make sure this does not happen again. I contacted my credit union and had them do a charge back on the account so that the charges would be reversed. Fingerhut (using some banking agency called Axsys National Bank) charged the amount onto my statement and charged me a $20 bounced check fee. Now realize I never wrote a check for the amount they are claiming.

I fell they are in the habbit it making extra profit by illegally debiting and charging the accounts of customers . They do as they feel they will get away with but they did it to the wrong person this time.

If you do business with them - be careful because, in my experience, once they get credit card or checking account information they debit at will and it will take months (as in my case) to get to the bottom of the issue.